Sports device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a sport device for ballgames or for practicing with a ball, comprising a base structure ( 10 ) which is arranged to be placed on a level foundation, indoors or outdoors. The base structure ( 10 ) is elongated and comprises a lower foot part ( 12 ) and an upper part ( 14 ), where the upper part ( 14 ) rises approximately perpendicularly from the lower foot part ( 12 ). The lower foot part ( 12 ) comprises one or more openings for supply/removal of a weight means, and the side edges ( 16,18 ) of the upper part ( 14 ) comprise a number of transverse outer grooves ( 20,22 ) arranged to receive a carrying means.

The present invention relates to a device for ballgames or for practising with a ball, comprising a base structure made in one piece from a plastic material, and which is arranged to be placed on a level foundation, indoors or outdoors, where the base structure is elongated and comprises a lower foot part with elongated, outwardly extending foot blades that stretch outwards in both directions from a central area and an upper part which is formed with an elongated plate form and protrudes approximately perpendicularly from the central area of the lower part, where the lower foot part comprises one or more openings for supply/removal of a weight means, such as water, sand, gravel, etc, intended to stabilise the base structure against the foundation, and that the side edges of the upper part comprise a number of transverse outer grooves adapted to receive a carrying means.

The invention is intended for use in connection with ballgames or practising with a ball. The preferred ballgame is a combination of football and golf, and the object of the game is to get a ball through a number of obstacles with different openings and down into a hole making the fewest number of touches. To make the game possible, equipment in the form of different obstacles is needed, where these obstacles have said holes and openings.

The ballgame can be played anywhere. What is required is an open area, such as a lawn, gravel pitch, football field, etc, where the equipment can be placed freely. When the different obstacles are set out, the game can start, and as mentioned, the object is to get through the course making as few touches as possible. As in football, it is not allowed to use the hands. During play, the number of touches made is marked on a scorecard, as in golf, where the different holes can be given a standard number of touches, as for example “par” which is used in golf.

However, the invention can also be used for practising with a ball, and can contribute to the development of ball skills, passing skills and kicking techniques. The different obstacles, in the main corresponding to the ballgame, are placed out onto the training field. Thereafter, one can practice on for example, passing skills, shooting skills, and general ball handling skills, etc, in that the ball must be passed through, underneath, around, etc, the different obstacles.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a sport device for use with ballgames or practise with a ball, and is characterised by the characteristic part of the independent claim 1, in that each of said grooves are arranged opposite each other in each of the side edges of the upper part, and that the grooves are formed with inclined, downwardly extending openings, where the openings are arranged to receive carrying means, such as a strap, band, the hands of a person, etc, and that the base structure is arranged to receive auxiliary elements on the upper part.

Alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention are characterised by the dependent claims 2-9. The base structure can comprise a number of removable wheels fitted to the underside of the lower part, arranged to ease the moving of the base structure. The base structure can, at its middle area, comprise a through going U-shaped groove with its opening directed downwards, adapted so that a ball, such as a football, can pass through the opening. Furthermore, the upper part can comprise one or more recessed sections, on one or both side plates, adapted to receive an additional plate, such as an information sign, advertisement sign etc.

An auxiliary element can be shaped as a plate with a through going opening in the middle, such as for example, a window, where the opening is designed so that a ball, such as a football, can pass through the opening. The auxiliary element can be designed to be fastened to the upper part of the base structure in that a lower part on the auxiliary element comprises a longitudinal groove arranged to fit onto the upper part.

An auxiliary element can be formed as a basket with one or more through going side openings, where the opening(s) is designed so that a ball, such as a football, can pass through the opening(s), and where the lower part of the auxiliary element can comprise a longitudinal groove for connection to the upper part of the base structure.

The auxiliary element and the base structure can be arranged for joining with the help of at least one tap/hole connection, whereby a tap is designed to be led into a corresponding opening, either in the upper part of the base structure or in the lower part of the auxiliary element. The auxiliary element can also be rotational in relation to the base structure.

The invention shall now be described further with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective drawing of a base structure according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front diagram of the embodiment shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective drawing of an alternative embodiment of a base structure according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective drawing of a further alternative embodiment of a base structure according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective drawing of an auxiliary element for connection to a base structure according to the FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective drawing of the auxiliary element according to FIG. 6 fastened to the base structure according to the FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective drawing of an alternative auxiliary element for connection to a base structure according to the FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective drawing of the auxiliary element according to FIG. 8 secured to the base structure according to the FIGS. 1-3.

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a base structure 10 which shall preferably be used in connection with ballgames or practicing with a ball. The base structure can be combined with other auxiliary elements so that together they form different obstacles, or practicing apparatuses during the execution of the game or the practice. It is preferred that the base structure 10 is elongated and comprises a lower foot part 12 and an upper plate formed part 14, where the upper part 14 is preferably formed with an elongated plate form and protrudes approximately perpendicularly from a central area of the lower foot part 12.

The lower and upper parts can preferably be integrated with each other, i.e. the whole base structure can be moulded in one piece. It is preferred that the base structure is rotational moulded of a plastic material. However, it shall be noted that the base structure can also be made from materials other than plastic, and that the base structure can be manufactured in two or more parts that are put together before use.

So that a base structure 10 shall be able to stand steadily on the chosen foundation, it is preferred that the lower part 12 is equipped with long, outwardly extending foot blades 13 a, 13 b which stretch outwards in both directions from a central area of the lower part. The drawings show tapered foot blades, but other shapes are also possible.

During use, either in the ballgame or when practicing with a ball, the base structure is placed on a foundation such as, for example, a lawn or a training field. As the base structure is preferably and initially made from a plastic material, it will be relatively easy to move the base structure. Furthermore, so that the base structure shall stand steadily on the chosen foundation, it will be advantageous to be able to add extra weight in or to the base structure. Therefore, a number of openings (not shown) are provided for supply/removal of a weight means, such as for example water, gravel, sand, etc. The opening(s) can be placed in several places on the base structure, either in the upper part 14 or in the lower part 12, or in both parts 12,14. For example, an opening can be provided in the upper part 14 for supply of the weight means, with an opening in the lower part 12 for removal of the weight means.

The base structure can also comprise a number of transverse grooves 20,22 arranged to receive a carrying appliance/means, such as a band, carrying strap, the hands of a person(s), etc. The grooves 20,22, respectively, are arranged opposite each other in each of the side edges 16,18 of the upper part, to ease the insertion and to give a better fastening grip, where the grooves are formed with inclined, downwardly extending openings. The openings will thereby be adapted to receive the carrying appliance or the carrying means, as described above.

Furthermore, the upper part 14 of the base structure can comprise one or more recessed sections 24, on one or both side plates, arranged for the fastening of information signs. The information sign can contain information about which “hole” one is playing, corresponding to a golf course, and/or advertisement for a sponsor.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a base structure according to the invention. In general, the base structure is shaped corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 1-3, but comprises, in its middle section, a through going U-shaped groove 26 with its opening directed downwards, designed so that a ball, such as a football, can pass through the opening. The U-shaped groove 26 results in the base structure according to FIG. 2 being comprised of two lower parts 12 a, 12 b with associated foot blades 13 a, 13 b as shown previously.

The base structure in FIG. 4 is shown without the carrying grooves 20, 22, but can, of course, also comprise corresponding grooves as shown in the FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 shows a further preferred alternative embodiment of a base structure according to the present invention. As FIG. 5 shows, this embodiment comprises a number of wheels 28 fitted to the base structure. The wheels shall ease the moving of the base structure and are fitted to the underside of the lower part of the base structure. A shaft onto which the wheels are fastened can be fitted in a conventional way as mentioned to the underside of the base structure, or the wheel shaft can be fitted going through the lower part of the base structure. It can also be relevant to use wheels on the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. If wheels are to be used on the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a pair of wheels will consequently be arranged onto each of the lower parts 12 a, 12 b.

FIG. 6 shows an auxiliary element 30 for fastening onto one of the base structures shown in the FIGS. 1-5. The auxiliary element 30 is shaped as a plate formed body with a central, through going opening 32, such as for example a window, where the opening is designed so that a ball, such as a football, can pass through the window. It is preferred that the element 30 is rotational moulded from a plastic material, but it can also be manufactured from materials other than plastic.

To secure the auxiliary element 30 to the base structure 10, a fastening body, secured to the lower part of the element 30, can be used, and which encloses the upper part 14 so that the element 30 is securely clipped onto and rests steadily on the base structure. Alternatively, the element 30 can be secured with the help of conventional fastening means, such as one or more screw connections, fastening fittings, etc. Furthermore, the lower part of the auxiliary element 30 can also comprise a longitudinal groove (corresponding to the groove 46 shown in FIG. 8) for connection to the upper part 14 of the base structure 10. FIG. 7 shows the auxiliary element 30 with a window arranged on the base structure 10.

FIG. 8 shows a second auxiliary element 40 for fastening to one of the base structures shown in the FIGS. 1-5. This auxiliary element 40 is shaped as a basket with an upper opening 42 and one or more through going side openings 44, where the opening(s) is designed so that a ball, such as a football, can pass through the opening(s). The element 40 is preferably also rotational moulded from a plastic material, but can also be manufactured from materials other than plastic. The lower part of the auxiliary element can comprise a longitudinal groove 46 for connection to the upper part 14 of the base structure 10 and/or other conventional fastening means. FIG. 9 shows the auxiliary element 40 with a basket arranged onto the base structure 10.

The invention can also comprise a further embodiment of a base structure (not shown). This embodiment is a combination of the base structure shown in FIG. 1 and the base structure shown in FIG. 4, and comprises two lower foot parts (corresponding to 12 a, 12 b, or even shorter in the longitudinal direction), and where the upper plate 14, in the gap which is formed between the foot parts, stretches down in the same plane as the foot parts. Thereby, a base structure with two foot parts and a larger middle and plane area, which is well suited to ball practicing, is provided.

The figures also show a number of openings 15 in the upper part 14 of the base structure, where said openings are arranged to receive a number of corresponding taps (not shown) on the lower part of the auxiliary elements. The object of the openings/taps is to connect the auxiliary element to the base structure. Furthermore, it must be realised that the taps can also be on the base structure and the openings in the lower part of the auxiliary elements.

Depending on the application, one or more taps/openings for fastening of the auxiliary element to the base structure can be used. With the use of a centrally placed tap/opening, the auxiliary element will consequently be rotational with respect to the base structure. This can be an advantage with regard to the positioning of the base structure on the foundation in relation to how one wishes the auxiliary element to be placed during the ballgame. 

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 10. A sport device, comprising: a base structure made in one piece from a plastic material, which is arranged to be placed on a level foundation, indoors or outdoors, wherein the base structure is elongated and comprises a lower foot part with long outwardly extending foot blades that extend outward in both directions from a central area and an upper part which is formed with an extended plate form and which protrudes upwards approximately perpendicularly from the central area of the lower part, wherein the lower foot part comprises one or more openings for supply or removal of a weight means for stabilizing the base structure against the foundation, and wherein side edges of the upper part comprise a number of transverse outer grooves arranged to receive a carrying appliance, wherein each of the outer grooves are placed opposite each other in each of the side edges of the upper part, and wherein the outer grooves are formed with inclined, downwardly extending openings, where the openings are adapted to receive carrying means, and the base structure is designed to receive auxiliary elements to the upper part.
 11. A sport device according to claim 10, wherein the base structure comprises a number of removable wheels fitted to the underside of the lower part, arranged to ease the moving of the base structure.
 12. A sport device according to claim 10, wherein the base structure at its midsection, comprises a through going U-shaped groove with its opening directed downwards, adapted so that a ball can pass through the opening.
 13. A sport device according to claim 10, wherein the upper part comprises one or more recessed sections on one or both side plates, arranged to receive an auxiliary plate.
 14. A sport device according to claim 10, wherein an auxiliary element is formed as a plate with a through going opening in the middle, wherein the opening is adapted so that a ball can pass through the opening.
 15. A sport device according to claim 14, wherein the auxiliary element is arranged to be fastened to the upper part of the base structure in that a lower part of the auxiliary element comprises a longitudinal groove designed to fit onto the upper part.
 16. A sport device according to claim 10, wherein an auxiliary element is formed as a basket with at least one through going side opening, where the opening is arranged so that a ball can pass through the opening, and that the lower part of the auxiliary element comprises a longitudinal groove for connection to the upper part of the base structure.
 17. A sport device according to claim 10, wherein an auxiliary element and the base structure are arranged to be joined together with the help of at least one tap or hole connection, whereby a tap is arranged to be led into a corresponding opening, either in the upper part of the base structure or in the lower part of the auxiliary element.
 18. A sport device according to claim 17, wherein the auxiliary element is rotational in relation to the base structure. 